UW-W Chancellor Richard Telfer to be interim UW System leader

WHITEWATER--Longtime UW-Whitewater faculty member and Chancellor Richard J. Telfer has been tapped to serve as interim UW System president after President Kevin P. Reilly steps down in December, the UW System announced Wednesday.

The appointment and Telfer's acceptance comes as Reilly plans to leave the post to advise the American Council on Education and return to teaching. Reilly announced his plans to leave July 30.

Telfer's interim appointment begins Jan. 1 and will extend until a new UW System president is appointed, according to the UW System.

Telfer has been chancellor at UW-Whitewater since 2008, and has been at the university since 1985. He's served as provost and vice chancellor and associate vice chancellor. He also served as a faculty member, chair of the state Department of Curriculum and Instruction and assistant dean of UW-Whitewater's graduate school.

He holds a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from UW-Madison, a bachelor's degree in speech and English and a master's degree in secondary education and reading improvement from Central Michigan University.

UW System Board of Regents President Michael J. Falbo said Telfer's years of experience and his leadership skills will provide stability during the transition to a new system president.

A UW System search and screen committee has completed a national search and recruitment for a new president and plans to vet applicants for a new president in November. The board of regents will likely name a new system president in January 2014, according to a news release.

Reilly announced Wednesday that UW-Whitewater Provost and Vice Chancellor Beverly A. Kopper has agreed to serve as UW-Whitewater interim chancellor during Telfer's absence.

Kopper was appointed provost in March 2010. She formerly served as associate provost for academic affairs at the University of Northern Iowa.

The board of regents will approve salaries for both interim appointments in December.